Posted on 09/06/2011 3:04:51 PM PDT by SeekAndFind
The rumors became a reality Tuesday: Eddie Murphy will host the 84th Academy Awards, which will be telecast Feb. 26 on ABC, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has announced.
Buzz started circulating over Labor Day weekend that the 50-year-old comedian-actor was being considered for the host job. In some ways, it's no surprise, since Murphy is starring in the upcoming film "Tower Heist," which was directed by Brett Ratner -- who is also producing the Academy Awards show with Don Mischer. "Tower Heist" is set to open in November.
By selecting Murphy, the academy is returning to its comedic host roots. The academy attempted to court younger viewers, hiring James Franco and Anne Hathaway to host the 83rd Academy Awards in February. Franco, who in addition to hosting was nominated for a lead actor Oscar for "127 Hours," was roundly trounced by critics for his lackluster performance; reviews were kinder toward Hathaway.
Over the years, comics including Bob Burns, Bob Hope, Jerry Lewis, Johnny Carson, Chevy Chase, Billy Crystal, David Letterman, Chris Rock, Steve Martin, Whoopi Goldberg and Jon Stewart have hosted the awards. Crystal even admitted recently that he was available to host if the academy wanted him.
"Eddie is a comedic genius, one of the greatest and most influential live performers ever," Ratner said in a statement Tuesday. "With his love of movies, history of crafting unforgettable characters and his iconic performances -- especially onstage -- I know he will bring an excitement, spontaneity and tremendous heart to the show Don and I want to produce in February."
(Excerpt) Read more at latimesblogs.latimes.com ...
I have no interest in the awards but its a big thing for an actor to be chosen to host.
Murphy has paid his dues and managed to remake himself into a family friendly comedian and actor.
Screw that!
Just have Charlie Murphy tell stories for 2 hours.
Dave Chappelle would be the best!
Should have gone with Jimmy Fallon.
Post number 7
The best Eddie Murphy was “Life” with Martin Lawrence.
Not good, make more money. HALF, Eddie! HALF!!!
Does anyone actually watch these shows anymore? Any awards shows?
“Delirious” is still one of the funniest stand-up comedy performances, ever...in today’s PC environment, he wouldn’t get away with most of that material.
The Oscars don’t live or die because of the host. If people like the movies that year, they watch the broadcast.
The Oscar show with the biggest audience share of this generation was in 1977. “Annie Hall” won best picture, but “Star Wars” was nominated — both movies that were hugely popular with audiences. I’m pretty sure nobody tuned in because Bob Hope hosted. I was a kid, and I didn’t. But I remember those Oscars because I was interested in those movies.
Jon Stewart hosted in 2008. That was the year “No Country for Old Men” won best picture. Even the people who thought it was genius wouldn’t argue that America cared whether it won or not. America’s indifference to all the nominated movies that year (reflected at the box office) resulted in the lowest-rated Oscars ever. I can’t stand Stewart, but I don’t think he tanked the broadcast; the movies did.
Eddie’s fate as host will be decided as the slew of post-summer Oscar-bait movies is released.
>HALF, Eddie! HALF!!!
Ice creeeaaaaaaam!
>HALF, Eddie! HALF!!!
Running down the street, doing 90, yelling, “Ice creeeaaaaaaam!”
The DVD release of the concert was delayed for years because Murphy was embarrassed by that material.
That can happen when your career slows to the point where you have to start making kids' movies, like Shrek and "Daddy Day Care."
“ALL RIGHT, ROCKO!!!! ALL RIGHT, SLY!!!! Hey paisan, you seen the latest Rocky movie? It’s a great f-—in’ movie....”
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